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KAITIAKITANGA — CARING FOR AOTEAROA'S NATURAL WORLD
Environmental news for Aotearoa New Zealand — for DOC rangers, conservation practitioners, environmental scientists, and anyone who cares about this land.
Whenua
land & farming
Land use, farming practices, soil health, and the relationship between food production and environmental outcomes.
RSS ↗Rūnanga receives funding for community-led wetland restoration project
Te Taumutu Rūnanga will be able to advance its plans to restore the wetland area of Muriwai o Whata (Coopers Lagoon) thanks to recently announced funding of $521,733 from the DOC’s Community Fund.
First discussions held on Hahei Beach Short Walk opportunity
DOC staff have met with Hahei Residents and Ratepayers Association (HRRA) for the first discussions on the opportunity to partner on reinstatement of the Hahei Beach Short Walk.
Bat boom around the Heaphy Track
Monitoring of long-tailed bats/pekapeka near the Heaphy Track in Kahurangi National Park has shown a tripling of bat activity due to effective ground-based and aerial predator control.
Mātauranga Māori and western science align for predator-free in Whakatāne
Korehāhā Whakahau is a predator-free project in Whakatāne. It is creating employment opportunities for Ngāti Awa descendants to help protect native wildlife.
A call to action: Hunter-led conservation for the win
Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager has issued a call to action to Kiwis, encouraging people to get behind the mission to control wild goat numbers and help protect New Zealand’s landscapes.
Ngāi Tahu Farming selected as preferred operator to negotiate for Molesworth lease
Ngāi Tahu Farming has been chosen as the preferred farming operator for iconic Molesworth Recreation Reserve.
Drone bait pod ready for predator-free action
The latest Predator Free 2050 tool is a bio-degradable bait pod that can be distributed by a drone with incredible accuracy. It has been designed to help target introduced predators along sensitive boundaries or in remote areas.
New investment to boost Otago predator control
Otago is the latest region to benefit from the Government’s next phase of Predator Free 2050, with a $3.9 million investment to expand successful predator elimination around Dunedin, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.
DOC on alert after H5 bird flu detection
DOC has plans in place and is closely monitoring the situation following the detection of H5 bird flu in a single migratory brown skua yesterday.
Hut life: where generations collide (and everyone learns the unwritten rules of naturing)
There’s something magical about staying in a hut. The smell of the old wooden walls, the sound of boots drying by the fire… it’s all part of the experience.
Huts with History – specialist Heritage Rangers move projects forward
DOC ranger Tim Groenendijk has a unique role, he’s ensuring that the heritage of the Lower North Island region is maintained for future generations.
Hefty penalty for cutting down protected native trees
A businessman ordered to pay $7200 in reparation for cutting down protected native trees near Kaiteriteri without permission can now be named.
No rats! – “best news ever” for rare kākāriki karaka
If there’s one thing that makes a DOC ranger smile, it’s hearing there are no rats detected in a valley where a critically endangered species lives.
Celebrate Matariki in Puketī ngahere
Lights, laughter, learning and kai will fill Puketī ngahere on 9 July as a community Matariki celebration brings together culture, conservation and whānau.
$2m funding boost turbocharges Wasp Wipeout
Wasp control across visitor hotspots and priority biodiversity sites will double, backed by a $2 million International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy boost, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.
Boost for predator control to protect endangered wildlife
Threatened native wildlife will get a reprieve from predators with a $14.1 million boost to predator control funding, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.
Collaborative wild deer management plan to protect Ruahine Forest Park
A new collaborative approach to managing wild deer in Ruahine Forest Park aims to reduce pressure on native forests while recognising the important role hunters and local communities play in caring for this special place.
$10m to accelerate predator free in Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau
Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau is set to lead the next phase of Predator Free 2050, with a $10 million Government investment to expand predator elimination efforts across the region and develop new tools that can be used across New Zealand, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka and…
Entangled whale freed
A southern right whale / tohorā was freed from a blue cod pot line in a complex operation - the first time this species has been disentangled in New Zealand waters.
Smile for the camera! Using new tech to identify baby native fish
May 23rd is World Fish Migration Day – a worldwide celebration of free-flowing rivers and the life they support. We have some very special fish here in Aotearoa, and this year we’re literally shining a spotlight on five species of galaxiid that move between freshwater and the…
New stoat bait a 30-year journey for predator-free scientist
DOC scientist, Elaine Murphy, talks about a new bait she's developed to target stoats, and why she's a big believer in Predator Free 2050.
Smile for the camera! Using new tech to identify baby native fish
May 23rd is World Fish Migration Day – a worldwide celebration of free-flowing rivers and the life they support. We have some very special fish here in Aotearoa, and this year we’re literally shining a spotlight on five species of galaxiid that move between freshwater and the…
Fish go to great lengths in the Whanganui River
Native migratory fish have been detected nearly 300 km inland from the Whanganui River mouth in recent research aimed at guiding restoration of the river.
New concession granted for Stony Batter on Waiheke
DOC has granted Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki and Man O' War a concession to operate tours of the historic tunnels at Stony Batter.
New stoat sausage bait trial results impressive
A new sausage bait targeting stoats is shaping up to be a valuable tool to protect kiwi and other native wildlife after impressive results in field trials.
Ups and downs of rare forest bird revealed
A recent dip in mohua/yellowhead numbers in a remote South Westland forest shows how closely its fortunes are tied to predator control.
Peaks and pits of a six-week Maukahuka trip
Peaks and pits from a six-week trip working on various aspects of the Maukahuka / Auckland Island Restoration project.
Two Tongariro huts join booking system for winter naturing
Waihohonu and Mangatepopo huts in Tongariro National Park can now be booked for winter adventures, with each operating as a serviced hut until the next Great Walk season begins.
Charity helps DOC control wild deer in Te Pātaka-o-Rākaihautū/Banks Peninsula reserves and feed whānau
Canterbury based charity Hunters4Hope is helping manage wild deer in DOC reserves on Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū/Banks Peninsula - with the venison going to those in need.
Law firm swaps pens for hammers and nails
A national law firm is helping catch predators – the four-legged kind – in a Conservation Week activity by building traps at work.
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